The Pensacola City Council met in special session Tuesday, electing new leadership and overseeing the swearing-in of Ashton Hayward to a second term as Mayor.
The new-look City Council features Andy Terhaar as President and Larry B. Johnson as Vice President for the coming year. Terhaar was selected on the third ballot, fending off challenges from outgoing president Jewell Cannada-Wynn and Charles Bare.
Johnson faced no opposition in his re-election campaign, but didn’t win VP until the second ballot. He called on his fellow council members to find ways over the next four years to come together and work with the Mayor to keep Pensacola moving forward.
“I hope that all of us on the Council will not only be respectful of each other, but respectful of each other’s time and most of all, respectful of the people’s time,” said Johnson. “Together I believe we can accomplish amazing things on the behalf of the citizens who elected us to serve.”
After taking his oath of office, Hayward kicked off his second term by telling the Council and assembled crowd about the privilege of serving his hometown. He spoke of working with the Council during his first term, in attracting both new industry and new residents.
“Downtown is in the middle of a renaissance,” said Hayward. “We’re creating value where entrepreneurs want to bring their businesses here. Our downtown is the heartbeat of our community.”
The returning Mayor also reiterated his promise to serve with renewed vigor, energy and passion. Pointing to some of the major achievements in the past four years, Hayward also pledged to work closely with the City Council on future projects.
“We completed Admiral Mason Park together,” said the Mayor. “We completed Main Street, where it has that energy when you walk into the Community Maritime Park today. We brought UPS; we brought Southwest Airlines, we brought VTMAE (VT Mobile Aerospace Engineering). We’re creating a city where people want to be here.”
Council members Sherri Myers and Brian Spencer were also sworn in to new terms after their re-election in November. In a separate honor, Councilman P.C. Wu last weekend was elected to the National League of Cities’ Board of Directors. He’ll serve a two-year term.
